Why you’ll love this trip?
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of cultures, wildlife encounters, and stunning landscapes that define the region
- Enjoy leisurely walks through parks, cities, and Mayan sites
- No strenuous hikes—just plenty of exploration
- Optional activities include kayaking, biking, rafting, horseback riding, and ziplining
What’s the Activity level?
- Moderately active; suitable for someone with moderate fitness levels
- Expect hot and humid weather, especially in November
- The rainy season is tapering off, providing cooler temperatures
- Altitude in Monteverde offers a cooler climate than other areas
What’s the transport and accommodation like?
- Travel on variety of transportation, including private vans, taxis, flights, and boats
- Despite a few long travel days and early starts, we strive to make the trip enjoyable and rewarding
- Long travel days are balanced with 3-night stays where possible
- Enjoy cozy 3-star accommodations with private facilities and local charm.
- Hotels selected for their safety, location, ambiance, and friendly staff
*All our tours are non-smoking
TRIP SUMMARY:
Duration: 28 days starting in Guatemala and finishing in San Jose
Trip focus: Cultural diversity of Central America
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels, Eco-lodge and Cabañas
Transport: Private van, taxis, flights and boat.
Group size: Maximum 12 + S.E.T. tour leader, Minimum 8
Single supplement: US$1,495, limited availability
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Bilingual English and Spanish speaking tour leader
- Licensed guides for all sites, Naturalist guide in the National Parks
- Flights within Central America: Guatemala City-Flores, Belize City- Managua
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- All air, land and sea transportation within the tour
- Entry to all included excursions
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Breakfasts are provided by the hotels, except at Caye Caulker – if we need to depart earlier than breakfast is available, we’ll endeavour to get a take away option. If this is not possible, breakfast will be at your own expense
- All hotel accomodation, with private bathrooms
- Tips for local guides and drivers
- Local payment of US$400.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Your International flights to the start and from the end of your tour
- Airport departure taxes
- Pre & post tour accommodation
- Optional activities
- Travel Insurance, Visas and Vaccinations
- Meals (except those listed),
- All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, souvenirs, etc
See our post trip add ons to the Galapagos Islands
PAYING LOCALLY:
Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. Paying locally allows us to keep the overall cost of our tours competitive and pass the savings on to you. These funds are put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic so this is a way to help us serve you, whilst saving you money. Payment is to be made to your leader upon arrival in cash.
All prices are approximate and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been paid
OPTIONAL PRE-TOUR: MEXICO CITY DAY OF THE DEAD PACKAGE
Take the opportunity to add on a 5 day / 4 night Day of the Dead Package in Mexico City before your Central America Explorer Tour.
Experience the rituals and festivities of the Day of the Dead as you learn to make sugar and chocolate skulls at Calazucho, and visit Tláhuac Cemetery to see graves adorned with flowers, photos and food before witnessing the ceremonies. Sample street food at Mercado San Juan, including the famous pan de muerto, and join a walking tour of Mexico City’s historic centre, passing the Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Palacio de Bellas Artes as the city comes alive with festival decorations.
Pricing to be advised.
Meals Included: 4 Breakfasts
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY
Arrive into Guatemala City. Transfer to your hotel in Antigua, where your tour leader will meet you.
Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a colourful colonial town framed by three volcanoes. This evening, enjoy a tour briefing and a welcome dinner of authentic Guatemalan cuisine.
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY 2 – ANTIGUA
After a morning briefing, enjoy a short city tour of colonial Antigua. After free time for lunch, visit a local coffee plantation to see the process from bean to cup.
This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring authentic Guatemalan cuisine.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 3 – ANTIGUA TO PACAYA VOLCANO AND HOT SPRINGS
Visit Pacaya National Park and hike from San Vicente de Pacaya, ascending through lush forest and volcanic rock for about 3.5 hours, with views of the peak and steaming fumaroles. Experience the energy of an active volcano before descending to nearby hot springs for lunch and a relaxing soak.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 4 – PANAJACHEL: CHICHICASTENANGO MARKET
On Thursdays and Sundays, the mountain village of Chichicastenango becomes one of the world’s largest handicraft markets. Enjoy time to explore before continuing to Panajachel for stunning views of Lake Atitlán and its lakeside indigenous villages, known for their weaving and traditional dress.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 5 – PANAJACHEL: DAY TRIP TO SANTIAGO DE ATITLAN & COOKING CLASS
Start the day with a boat ride to a lakeside village on Lake Atitlán. Explore its colourful markets and streets before enjoying a hands-on Mayan cooking experience using fresh local ingredients and traditional flavours.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 6 – TRANSFER TO GUATEMALA FOR FLIGHT TO FLORES
On the way to Guatemala Airport, stop to visit the little-known Iximché Mayan site. Then take an afternoon flight to the island of Flores and enjoy the evening exploring this colourful lakeside town.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 7 – FLORES: TIKAL MAYAN SITE
Today we visit the stunning Mayan city of Tikal, set in the heart of its namesake national park. This remarkable site, surrounded by lush jungle, is a true trip highlight. Keep an eye out for the vibrant birds and wildlife that make this area so special.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 8 – SAN IGNACIO: JUNGLE LODGE
Cross the Melchor border into Belize and settle into a rainforest retreat along the Macal River in the Maya Mountains. Surrounded by bird-rich habitats and a vast national park, this area offers spectacular birdwatching and peaceful natural beauty.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 9 – SAN IGNACIO: JUNGLE LODGE
Begin the day with a 1.5-hour birdwatching tour, spotting Belize’s vibrant birdlife in their natural habitat. After breakfast, enjoy a peaceful canoe ride downstream to San Ignacio. The afternoon is free to relax or choose an optional activity—hike jungle trails, float on the river, or take a refreshing swim.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 10 – CAYE CAULKER: SAN IGNACIO MARKET AND BELIZE ZOO
If our visit falls on a weekend, explore the vibrant San Ignacio Saturday market. Then drive to Belize City with a stop at the Belize Zoo to see native wildlife. By late afternoon, take a water taxi to Caye Caulker and arrive on your tropical island paradise in time for sunset.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 11 – CAYE CAULKER
Today enjoy a half-day snorkelling trip in Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to vibrant tropical fish. Visit Shark-Ray Alley to swim with harmless nurse sharks, stingrays and eagle rays. The rest of the day is free, with sunset cocktails in the evening.
Meals Included: None
DAY 12 – CAYE CAULKER
Free day. This laid-back, car-free island on the world’s second-largest barrier reef offers plenty of activity options—or simply relax on the sand with a book and a cocktail.
Dinner tonight is at Meldi’s or Wish Willy’s, both long-time friends serving delicious Belizean food.
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY 13 – BACALAR MEXICO: LAGOON OF SEVEN COLOURS
Begin the day with a water taxi and private minivan as we farewell Belize and head to one of Mexico’s gems—Bacalar. Known for its stunning turquoise lagoon, Bacalar offers true tranquillity. If timing allows, we’ll stop for a cenote swim before arriving. In the evening, enjoy an authentic Mexican dinner in the village.
Meals Included: None
DAY 14 – PLAYA DEL CARMEN: TULUM MAYAN SITE
While in Bacalar, enjoy a boat tour of the lagoon, Pirate Channel, and the spot where the Hondo River meets the lake. Continue the journey with a visit to Tulum, the only coastal Mayan site, before arriving in Playa del Carmen late afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 15 – PLAYA DEL CARMEN: CHICHEN ITZA DAY TOUR
Today we visit Chichén Itzá, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Explore key sites such as El Castillo, the Observatory, the Temple of the Warriors and the Ball Court, then cool off with a cenote swim and enjoy a relaxing lunch.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 16 – FLY TO MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
Today we fly from Cancún to Managua, departing at 1:10 pm via Miami and arriving at 8:58 pm. With a late arrival, no activities are planned tonight. Keep a good book handy and a little extra patience for the journey—it’s all part of the adventure!
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 17 – PUEBLOS BLANCOS AND MASAYA MARKET TOUR
Today we visit the colourful Masaya artisan market to browse quality Nicaraguan handicrafts. Afterward, enjoy lunch overlooking Apoyo Lagoon from the Catarina viewpoint, then visit nearby villages, including San Juan de Oriente, to meet local craftsmen in a traditional workshop.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 18 – ISLETAS TOUR AND GRANADA CITY TOUR
Explore the Isletas of Lake Nicaragua by boat, with your guide pointing out the local flora and fauna. Stop at one island for a complimentary drink before returning to Granada. This afternoon, explore Granada’s beautiful historic centre on foot and by classic horse-drawn carriage.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 19 – MOMBACHO VOLCANO TRAIL AND CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP
Travel by 4×4 into the cloud forest of Mombacho Nature Reserve, stopping for local coffee and taking a short guided hike near the summit—watch for howler monkeys, sloths and dart frogs. Enjoy stunning views over Granada.
In the afternoon, join a hands-on chocolate workshop, learning the process from bean to bar and preparing a traditional indigenous drink.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAYS 20 & 21 – COSTA RICA, LA FORTUNA HOT POOLS
Travel overland from Granada to Costa Rica, skirting Lake Nicaragua with views of Ometepe’s twin volcanoes. Continue to La Fortuna at the base of Arenal Volcano—now in a resting phase—where we’ll enjoy evenings soaking in the hot springs. Take a River Float Safari to spot Costa Rica’s famous wildlife.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts
DAY 22 – MONTEVERDE
Ascend from the central valley into the cool, misty mountains, crossing Lake Arenal by boat and continuing by van to Monteverde. Explore Santa Elena and the forest reserve, home to abundant wildlife, with an optional horse ride available.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 23 – CLOUD FOREST TOUR
Spend the morning exploring the magical cloud forest with a naturalist guide, home to thousands of plant species, 320 bird species and 100 mammals—including the elusive Resplendent Quetzal. In the afternoon, choose from the Sky Walk suspension bridges, butterfly garden, Sky Tram or an optional canopy zip line (own expense).
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 24 – MANUEL ANTONIO
Depart the cloud forest and enjoy sweeping views toward the Pacific as we travel to Manuel Antonio National Park. The landscape shifts from lush forest to the drier Pacific coast, with a stop at the Tarcoles River to see giant crocodiles.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 25 – MORNING NATIONAL PARK HIKE, AFTERNOON FREE
This morning, enjoy a guided walk where we may spot Squirrel and Capuchin monkeys. The rest of the day is free to explore the park, go rafting or kayaking, or simply relax on beautiful Espadilla Beach.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 26 – MANUEL ANTONIO
TFree day to enjoy Manuel Antonio—explore more of the national park, or choose from snorkelling, rafting, kayaking and other optional activities.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 27 – TRAVEL TO SAN JOSE
Transfer by van to San José, followed by an insightful walking tour showcasing the city’s hidden corners and beautiful architecture.
This evening, celebrate the end of a diverse and memorable Central American journey with a farewell dinner at one of our favourite restaurants.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
DAY 27 – DEPARTURE DAY
Depart any time today, or connect on to Galapagos 10 Day adventure tour on a Friday
Meals Included: Breakfast (if your onward flight allows)
HIGHLIGHTS
DATES
| Start Date | End Date | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Nov 2027 | 28th Nov 2027 | AVAILABLE | From US$10,980 |
